Amour

He’s played memorable supporting roles in more than 160 movies-and was even nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar after costarring with a pig in Babe. Now, in the drama Still Mine, James Cromwell is getting raves, including my review, for his first-ever lead role and he is savoring every moment. “This is my first try at it,” Cromwell, 71, tells me on this week’s Movies for Grownups radio show. “I don’t know that I’ll ever get another one because …

Remember when the movie musical was dead? Well, Sunday night’s Academy Awards telecast will be a resounding reminder that, in the immortal words of Dr. Frankenstein, “It’s ALIVE!!” Most important for grownup movie lovers, this year’s Oscar production numbers will recognize that for the past decade musicals have aimed themselves squarely at us: Les Miserables, Chicago, Hairspray, and Mama Mia! were all a far cry from the kid-centric days of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Barney’s Great Adventure. Not all …

I’m confused. This was a great year for Movies for Grownups. Some of them even made a ton of money. So why is the 85th annual Oscar nominations list such a mixed bag for grownup movie lovers? On one hand, it’s nice to see Amour-a powerful French film about the undying love of an 80-something couple-nominated for Best Picture (and also Foreign Film, which may be a first). And Argo, Les Misérables, Lincoln, Silver Linings Playbook, and Zero Dark …